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Tbilisi

capital city of Georgia

13km

41.716744.7833

Georgian Military Highway

road

63km

42.57887244.524727

Gori

fifth largest city of Georgia

68km

41.97844.109

Tsaghkadzor

Armenia's ski destination.

110km

40.533344.7167
Sights (12)

Samtavro Monastery

According to legend, St. Nino lived on this site and prayed within the smaller of its two extant churches. This small church dates from the 4th century. The larger church on this site was built in the 11th century and contains the graves of Mirian, the Georgian king who adopted Christianity, and his wife.

312m

41.8463888944.7175

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Svetitskhoveli is one of the most sacred places in Georgia and, along with Jvari Monastery, the clear highlight of a trip to Mtskheta. It was founded in 1010, built on the site of Georgia's first church, and contains the graves of the ancient Georgian kings, including Sidonia, who was said to have been buried holding Christ's robe. There are many (unaggressive) beggars at the entrance gate.

830m

41.841944.7211

Jvari Monastery

monastery in Georgia (country)

2.1km

41.8386111144.73388889

Shio-Mgvime monastery

Spectacular 6th century monastery. Its main church is of 11th century. Fantastic views over the city.

8.6km

41.862544.64027778

Khujabi Monastery

If you make it to Khorakert, you should be able to make it to this soaring, majestic and lost work of architecture, further along the border.

56km

41.2016666744.5675

Uplistsikhe

ancient rock-hewn town in Georgia

57km

41.9683333344.20416667

Haghpat

village in Lori Province of Armenia

62km

41.09544.71027778

Gergeti Trinity Church

church

67km

42.662544.62027778

Joseph Stalin Museum, Gori

The Stalin Museum is the highlight of a visit to the city of Gori. Behind its faux-Venetian facade is an impressive museum filled with paraphernalia and media documenting the life and career of I.V. Jughashvili. The museum's portrayal of Stalin is one-sidedly nostalgic, which can be jarring for visitors, but the exhibits are actually quite well done and there are ample Georgian babushkas throughout the museum who will be more than happy to elaborate on the exhibits and answer questions. Unfortunately, the exhibits are overwhelmingly in Russian and Georgian, to the disadvantage of most Western visitors. But the main show requires no language—Stalin's death mask. Stalin's bronze death mask is not so exciting in and of itself, but the lighting and bizarre, personality cult-chic, red velvet display will surely elicit goose bumps. At the ticket office, ask about an English or German-speaking guide. Guided tours start regularly. They are sometimes available and will often show you the inside of Stalin's home and train car.

68km

41.9872222244.11361111

Gori Fortress

68km

41.9861111144.10805556

Tusheti

geographic region

102km

42.545.5

Timotesubani monastery

133km

41.8105555643.51833333
Nature

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Mtskheta

Georgia (country)
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Someday we will visit Mtskheta or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Mtskheta

Mtskheta (მცხეთა) is a town 15 km north of Tbilisi in the Kartli region of Georgia.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), Samtavro Monastery (4th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta are amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture, and are historically significant in the development of medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus. Of special significance are early inscriptions, which form a valuable reference in the study of the origins of the early Georgian alphabet.. Samtavro necropolis, a burial place north of the monastery, is dated between the middle of the 3rd millennium BC and the 10th century.

Mtskheta is set on a lowland, surrounded by mountains, at the confluence of the two rivers, Mtkvari and Aragvi. The city is approached from the north by the Greater Caucasus and from the south by the Lesser Caucasus mountains.

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